How about rotation?

ineedaspot

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why don't people play rotation in the US?

I've never played except one time just messing around. But, maybe it's the ultimate pool game at high levels and for TV.

8-ball and 9-ball (and 10-ball): too easy for pros, too much luck on the break, need a really long race to figure out who is best
one-pocket: I love it, but too boring for general TV audiences, especially if it gets uptable
straight pool: ditto one-pocket

So how about rotation? I don't know much about it, never seen a real match, but it's got to be tough based on having to shoot the balls in order and deal with all the congestion at the same time. And they must be doing something right in the Philippines...

Can you determine who is the best without racing to 8-ahead? Is it exciting to watch? One thing I like about 1-pocket is that unlike most other games, you are actually playing your opponent a lot of times rather than just the table. Is rotation like that?

Let's start up a rotation tour...
 
Just what we need, Efren dominating another pocket billiards tour..:D I have seen Efren and Corey play rotation, it was amazing. Efren came out ahead, but that was like 5 years ago. Not sure now how they would come out.

Southpaw
 
ineedaspot said:
Why don't people play rotation in the US?

I've never played except one time just messing around. But, maybe it's the ultimate pool game at high levels and for TV.

8-ball and 9-ball (and 10-ball): too easy for pros, too much luck on the break, need a really long race to figure out who is best
one-pocket: I love it, but too boring for general TV audiences, especially if it gets uptable
straight pool: ditto one-pocket

So how about rotation? I don't know much about it, never seen a real match, but it's got to be tough based on having to shoot the balls in order and deal with all the congestion at the same time. And they must be doing something right in the Philippines...

Can you determine who is the best without racing to 8-ahead? Is it exciting to watch? One thing I like about 1-pocket is that unlike most other games, you are actually playing your opponent a lot of times rather than just the table. Is rotation like that?

Let's start up a rotation tour...

Interesting idea. I would really like to see some top rotation players playing the game, because although I know the rules and have played it with other C/B- players, I don't really have much concept of the nature of the game when Reyes, Bustamante, Parica, or other established experts of the game play it.

Anybody know of any videos that show the top Filipinos duking it out rotation-style?

-Andrew
 
My guess about why rotation isn't more popular is because math is involved.

-djb
 
Andrew Manning said:
Interesting idea. I would really like to see some top rotation players playing the game, because although I know the rules and have played it with other C/B- players, I don't really have much concept of the nature of the game when Reyes, Bustamante, Parica, or other established experts of the game play it.

Anybody know of any videos that show the top Filipinos duking it out rotation-style?

-Andrew
http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qs...9782&BACK=A0008A1B01058978144B1C01173036499C1

Efren and Django did a rotation exhibition match during this year's DCC. I saw a bit of it on BCN. This particular match, at least the later parts of the match which I saw, wasn't as exciting as I hoped because Efren just ran away with the match winning 8-3. It was funny to hear Buddy Hall and the other commentator trying to decode the "Filipino rules".
 
I think rotation would be a good game to try on TV. We know 9-ball and 8-ball don't get fans to tune in. Johnnyt
 
It seems logical that rotation would work. Maybe it turns out the game goes really slowly though or there are lots of innings because it's so tough to run out, or maybe there's a lot of luck. I don't think math is holding anyone back, the TV can do the math for the viewer, just like they do when they show the strength of your hand on televised poker.

Maybe it's just a chicken and egg thing, nobody will play it unless they see some big names playing it on tv, and tv will never bother with it if nobody in the US is playing it.
 
The only problem with having it on TV is that it would have to be time formatted and you would miss alot to speed it up for TV. If Accu-stats did some tapes then that would be really nice. Maybe someone can promote a rotation tourney so that Pat could get some of it on tape.

Southpaw
 
I got to play the game with traditional rules for a few hours with a new friend from the Philippines. It is absolutely fascinating. The safety and spot shot rules make for all kinds of moves, but I feel imagination and courage are the 2 best attributes to have for that game. It is a perfect fit for Efren with his billiards excellence.

I bet its not more popular because the first 8 or so spots would be accounted for, then add in Archer, Deuel, Morris, etc in no particular order.

a great way to practice for 9 ball is to play rotation, then 9 ball becomes a silly joke :D

Gerry
 
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